Bowlers made an indelible impact on the ODI format in 2024 with their exceptional and consistent performances in the 50-over game, showcasing their skill, precision, and adaptability across varying conditions. This article highlights the leading wicket-takers in ODIs for the year.
Leading ODI wicket-takers in 2024:
1) Deepti Sharma – 24 wickets
Deepti Sharma had a remarkable year with the ball for India in the ODI format, claiming 24 wickets. In India’s home series against South Africa, she delivered an outstanding performance, taking six wickets, including a crucial 2/27 in the third ODI, which earned her the Player of the Match award. Deepti continued to excel in the middle overs throughout the year, with a standout performance in the recent series against the West Indies. In the final ODI, she recorded a stunning 6/31 and earning another Player of the Match accolade. She concluded the year with 24 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 4.49.
2) Sophie Ecclestone – 21 wickets
English spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs for 2024, with 21 wickets. She was exceptional in the ODI series against Pakistan, finishing with figures of 3/26 and 3/15 in the first and third ODIs, respectively. Ecclestone dominated the home series against New Zealand, leading the wicket-taking charts with seven scalps, including a five-wicket haul in the second ODI. She continued her stellar form in the away series against South Africa, where she claimed five wickets across three matches.
3) Charlie Dean – 20 wickets
England’s off-spinner Charlie Dean was instrumental in her team’s success, taking 20 wickets in 12 ODI matches. She played a key role in England’s tour of New Zealand in April 2024, with a standout performance of 3/57 in the first ODI. In the home series against Pakistan in May 2024, she was effective in the middle overs, claiming three wickets. Dean further showcased her prowess with a thrilling 4/38 in the first ODI against New Zealand, earning the Player of the Match award. She capped off the year with a superb display against South Africa, taking seven wickets, including a hat-trick in the series, with a Player of the Match performance in the second ODI with figures of 4/45.
4) Ashleigh Gardner – 20 wickets
Australian spinner Ashleigh Gardner also claimed 20 wickets in 12 matches, making her one of the standout bowlers of the year. She was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series against Bangladesh, securing seven wickets. Gardner’s memorable performance came in the third ODI against India at the WACA, where she recorded figures of 5/30 in a match-winning effort, while also scoring a fifty, an Australian record. She finished the three-match ODI series against India with seven wickets.
5) Kate Cross – 19 wickets
England’s Kate Cross had a stellar year with the ball, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches. During England’s tour of New Zealand, she claimed four wickets across three ODIs. However, her standout performance came during England’s tour of Ireland, where she dismantled the Irish batting line-up in the first ODI with figures of 6/30, her best in the ODI format, earning her the Player of the Match award. In the second ODI, she picked up three more wickets, finishing with figures of 3/8 in four overs. Cross concluded the year with an impressive economy rate of 3.9.
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